The first showdown between Australia and India in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test Series has captured the attention of the nation despite a clear victory for the visitors.
The First Test, which saw India claim a 295-run victory over Australia, dominated TV ratings on each of the first three days, with seven sessions averaging more than 1 million viewers across all platforms (Seven, 7plus Sport, Foxtel, Foxtel Go, Foxtel Now and Kayo Sports), including 1.6m nationally for the third session of Day 1.
Daily average viewing audiences increased 30% on last season’s Perth Test match against Pakistan across the first three days.
With a new Television broadcast rights deal now activated, this match marked the first time fans were able to stream Test cricket on 7plus Sport in addition to Kayo Sports, Foxtel Go and Foxtel Now.
Foxtel and Kayo
A spokesperson for the Foxtel Group celebrated the result telling TV Blackbox that streaming audiences have jumped with 243 million minutes viewed across Kayo Sports, Foxtel Go and Foxtel Now for the First Test v India. This is up 35% year on year compared with Foxtel Group audiences for the First Test vs Pakistan.
Seven and 7plus
The clash at the Perth Stadium delivered the Seven Network an average total TV audience of 663,000, including 1.01 million for the third session on day three and 997,000 for the third session on the first day.
Seven Network Director of Sport, Chris Jones, said:
“Four epic days of a world-class performance from India has set us up for a thrilling Border-Gavaskar Trophy Series on Seven and 7plus Sport, and we’re just getting started.
“The atmosphere at Perth Stadium was electric and the fans at the ground, combined with audiences tuning in from home, helped create a spectacle that showcased why cricket is Australia’s number one summer sport.
“For the first time in history, Australians could stream the cricket in English or Hindi for free via 7plus Sport, and we are thrilled to have seen such impressive audience figures that complemented our linear broadcast,” he said.
Seven Network Head of Cricket, Joel Starcevic, added:
“A brilliant century from King Kohli, his first in over 18 months, combined with a bowling masterclass from Jasprit Bumrah delivered an electrifying start to the Test summer on Seven and 7plus Sport.
